Jo'shu's Story

In a small house in the middle of the city a window on the second floor slowly creaked open, a slim figure slowly crawled out and hesitantly walked to the edge looking around as they walked to the edge and peered down. Their knees started to shake and they gulped for air a few beads of sweat appeared on their forehead. “y-you can do this Shigeru…” a young males voice whispered to himself, his voice as soft as an early spring breeze. He pushed his glasses back on his face, “j-just pretend you’re Moth…” he muttered as he thought of his elven ranger character on Winters fire. When that didn’t work he thought of that Dark Elf in his dreams. He clenched his fist and leaped to the tree nearby.
His fingers scrambled as he grabbed a branch and sighed in relief as he slowly climbed down the tree, his hands shaking, he did not dare to look down. Reaching the ground he grabbed his chest panting for breath. He looked around and darted to his grotto. He bumped into an older man on his way, “Hey watch it kid!” the man yelled at him. “S-S-sorry…” Shigeru managed to say stuttering over his words as he ran, he took the back route trying his best to avoid people. He hated to be surrounded by people, and since he was bullied so much he stayed locked up in his room, only sneaking out to go to his grotto. He ran through the cemetery on the way the frosted grass crunching slightly under his feet. His sweater and sleeve got caught on a bushes prickly branches and he tugged it free, slightly revealing a few scars on his wrist.
He finally reached the grotto and sighed in relief seeing no one there. He sat underneath a tree and took out a well-worn fantasy book and started to read it pushing his glasses back into places…this was his sanctuary away from people…from nagging, and bullies.
He doesn’t know how long he was there but soon he felt himself drift off into sleep…

Kalan Zakn Auvry’Ghym woke up from his sleep and walked outside of his ‘house’ though it was not a regular shaped house, or even where many would consider to live. It was the hollowed out trunk of an old dead tree. He nudged the camouflage blanket a bit and checked to make sure there was no one of any kind there. His red gleaming eyes did not spot anyone, though they did not work so well in the light, but the sun was setting soon so they worked better than if it had been midday. He slung his cowl on as well as his quiver over his head and grabbed his bow. He quietly walked outside his boots not even breaking a twig as he listened. He needed to go hunting …there was no avoiding that. He let out a soft sigh and headed to the grotto nearest to the desert a few hardy, and tasty, halla grazed there. He made sure he stayed down wind of them, he saw them and an almost evil grin appeared on his face. He readied an arrow drawing it back and was about to release it, when he and they heard a noise coming from the desert. He cursed in his native tongue under his breath and ran to a tree quickly leaping to the lowest branch and climbed up making sure none of the branches so much as shuddered as he saw someone, a human, approaching wielding a sword and knives. He kept his arrow aimed on him and frowned before he lowered it, making none of the leaves rustle as he watched the wanderer carefully.

The sun was setting. 20-Odd school boys were busy clearing up the grounds on the field after a long days practice. Usually a job left to the freshman only, this team preffered to gets things done more quickly and used this to build team chemistry. Ryuuske, one such youth was, like the other freshman, new to the team. Being half-way through puberty he stood at a respectable 5'7, and had very dark black hair and eyes that were but a shade lighter than his hair.While the team changed in the locker room and he put on his dark blue uniform with matching pants, belt and distinguishing red tie, quickly grabbed his things and was out of there.

"Yo! Wait up there Ace!" A large guy around 6'1 and with a matching stout and sturdy build with some extra fat bumbled up towards him.
"Oh, its you Kentaro.." Ryuuske replied in a tired drovel.
"Dude, you hear about that girl that got clubbed today? I hear that they won't find the
culprits because of lack of evidence, what a load of crap man. This better all settle
down before the season starts.." Stated Kentaro with a concerned look on his almost babylike face.

"Don't give me that look man, I don't plan on getting into any fights, thats what the
training is about in the first place right? Speaking of which, I am absolutely beat today, leftovers of first day jitters I suppose"

"Hah! whatever man, you have never been the type to struggle with academics. You will
be fine. Well, I'll swing by in the morning, Super Bodyguard Kentaro Mashima at your
service!" He bowed in a creepy host-club style way that made Ryuuske laugh and gag at
the same time, interesting phenomina.

Encroaching upon the run down sports bar that his parents run, he went in through the kitchen, saying hi to the chefs and patting the bartender Yoshiya on the shoulder and he quickly slid through the cluster of drunk salarymen and up the stairs where he went into his room. Various posters of baseball stars, some of his favorite anime and bookshelves laden with the best literature on the left and his favorite manga on the right. He crouched down and opened up a large box in the corner where he stored all his weekly manga issues. He grabbed the latest one and read it absentmindedly and he got the familiar twinge feeling at the tip of his amygdala while prepelled him into the world of dreams.

................

Jo'Shu's eyes twinkled with glee as he let out a huge roar of a laugh. He grabbed a particularily pretty ifrit girl with jet black hair "I'll be back in a moment baby, don't go missin' me too hard now!" Joshu walked to the edge of the desert and was walking among the trees when he spotted a a glorious sight. There was a beautiful woman bathing there, complete with all sorts of lucious curves in all the right places and very long night blue hair. Joshu grinned, retrieved one of his swords from his belt and could not help but evilly giggle a bit as he disrobed, took a deep breath and charged through the bushes towards the woman stark naked, sword in hand yelling
"Don't worry honey! Joshu is coming to lighten up your day!"

Kalan kept a close eye on the man, hopping silently from tree to tree to do so, his bow securely on his back. Just as he was about to decide this human was harmless. He saw him strip and run towards a naked elven woman, who let out a scream as she saw him charge at her. Kalan may not be fond of elves; in fact his kind and Elves were in a constant battle… though he wasn’t a part of that, at least not anymore. He took off his bow and nocked an arrow quickly as he aimed the arrow and fired it to whizz in front of the man’s face before embedding itself in a tree as a warning shot. He quickly readied another arrow just in case he needed it. He also gathered a little bit of darkness… in case this fight got serious. He steadied his breath and waited for the mans’ next move. Not speaking a word as he waited patiently.

As the arrow flew across his vision, Jo'shu yelped and froze in place. He saw the pretty elf lady give a shocked expression, and at that moment a brilliant idea occurred to him as he started once again towards the Elf. "Miss! Look out! bandits are attacking!" without waiting for reply he got between the Elf and the "would be assassin"
"Show yourself you fiend!" Yelled Jo'shu as he led the woman behind a tree for safety. "wait here Miss, I'll take care of this." Jo'shu crouched low as surveyed in the direction where the arrow came from. He needed to approach this situation cautiously, as he found it difficult to keep up his Glamour after injury

”A bandit? Where?” the girl asked, her voice as soothing as a brook. She quickly threw on her a robe nearby, but kept her legs and feet bare. Kalan frowned as the man accused him of being a bandit. “this will not end well…” he thought to himself as he thought out his options. He realized with a sigh that the better option would be to reveal himself, or else he may be accused of more than banditry… though he may be accused of that for what he is. He withheld a sigh as he pulled his hood further over his face and made sure his hair was in his hood. He knew he couldn’t do anything to hide the skin that was exposed… he just prayed they thought he was a dark skinned human. He let his magic go and leapt down into the man and the elven girl sight as he put his bow on his back and placed his arrow back in the quiver. “I am no bandit.” He simply stated, his voice crisp and clear like a forest breeze. He kept his upper torso in the shadows of the trees.

Kalan blinked in surprise when the man asked him to show his face, but he was more worried about what the elven girl was doing... something was not right, he could hear no animals here. Which meant there was something keeping them away. He closed his red eyes as he let out a sigh of defeat and reached for his hood slowly. "he has forced my hand... if I say no I am arrested... If do so... I am arrested... there is no good outcome, so I may as well be arrested for being what I am." he thought to himself as he removed his hood making the elven girl gasp. He looked at the man straight in the eyes, his own red eyes burning like the sunset as his elven ears poked through his snow white hair, his face was one that showed not the fear he felt in his heart. When he opened his mouth he did not speak common, but his native tongue.

"Usstan tlun Kalan Zakn Auvry’Ghym, natha elg'hasek wun nindolen lorulmen. Usstan tlun nau olplyn, drill natha olath darthirii xor natha ilythiiri, wun l' tangin d' zhuanth udos zhahen ul'kas Ash rosin." he smirked at the man, "I am no bandit... but I am not ashamed of what I am." he told him not bothering to translate to him.

The Elven girl let out a sharp whistle as the elven guards surrounded Kalan and held their swords to his throat. Kalan stayed perfectly still at this as they bound his hands behind his back after taking away his weapons. He gave on last look at the man, "Usstan tlun naut vigh a dos, drill dos ph' natha waela rivvil...Dos inbal belbaunin ussta dro ulu l' rahi d' nindolen darthien," again he did not translate, though he got hit in the head by the hilt of a guards sword as he was led away, one of the elven guards went ahead of them to inform their king.

The elven girl turned to the human and gave him a bow, "Thank you kind sir for saving me from that n'taurn coia... low life." she told him with a pleasent smile on her plump lips. "I am in your debt... sadly I must be going to my kingdom soon, but if you come with me I am sure I can find a way to repay you." she remarked with faint sorrow and hope in her voice.

"I will gladly accept your offer my lady" Said Jo'Shu with a bow. "Excuse me for a moment while I gather my companions and things" Jo'shu submerged himself in the stream and scrubbed himself off as he quickly moved into a thicket of bushes. He then grabbed his loose fitting white lounge pants, brown leather armor-vest and a pair of odd black gloves which seem out of place in the get up. After he had finished dressing himself, Jo'shu trudged his way through the clearing and into the desert once more.

"Hey you guys, come on out- looks like we have gotten ourselves a place to stay for the time being!"

Several people came of out from various places to greet him, The first to emerge was a short woman with short red hair wearing small jade earrings and clothed in comfortable traveling clothes.
The second to emerge was a brown haired man of medium height with a sandy colored headband holding up his spiky hair. He waved with a grin.
The third was a large man with a military flat top and a large battleaxe slung over his shoulder.
The last was an odd white haired fellow with a piercing grin and blue eyes.

Elena, Raj, Rondo, Gen, looks like we are about to get busy real soon, saddle up!

A now Kalan grunted as yet again he was pushed to walk faster; he turned to the elven guard and spoke, “Usstan tlun izil z'hin fridj ula Obok Darthirii, nin tanook tluin natha wael!” he growled at him, which of course cause the man to hit him again. Kalan rolled his eyes as they soon entered the Elven Kingdom. Kalan of course could not see anything but could immediately smell and hear the change of the forest. He wondered where they were taking him as he carefully walked forward. He soon passed through a few doors and felt the solid polished wood beneath his feet. “What did I get myself into now… Sala help me…” he thought to himself as he offered a prayer up to the Goddess of the Hunt, he had long since forsaken Lloth.

The Elven girl watched as her savior returned with three others. From their looks they all seemed to come from the desert. She offered them all a flourishing curtsy, “Follow me. I hall lead you to the kingdom where you shall have your reward ready, but you must tell King Xanderlos what happened, if he requires such. Also be on your best behavior in front of him and the Queen Zalana.. the Tribal Lord may be there as well… so please do not make a wrong move, but I am sure a strong up holder of justice will find no problem with that.” She told him with a smile as she started to lead them to the city, her footsteps not making a sound.

The Elven woman, a noble presumably, led Jo'shu and his crew through the forest for several hours until they came upon a clearing. Large trees could be seen going in all directions as far as the eye can see. Along the backdrop of the trees was a well hidden series of buildings. Large structures disguised by moss growing all over them could only be seen when directly looking at them from the right angle of lighting.

Raj whistled, "Steller digs man, dibs on that one."

"lets just hope we get there soon, I need a drink" Lamented Rondo.

"Well guys, be on your best behavior for now, you know the drill" Remarked Jo'Shu as he led his men towards the entrance to the city which was made of vines in the shape of laurel reeves moving towards the direction of the sun.

Aukanai'i was as stiff as a medusa victim, not a muscle moving, it even appeared that she stopped breathing. Her blue eyes watched the tribal lord, and though he smiled at her, she didn't smile back. Honestly she was just waiting for his reaction, and she prayed it was a good one.

When Kalthan plucked the turtle from the warriors hand, and looked at it, she swore her heart stopped. When he spoke of the gift, and praised it, she visably relaxed. “Thank you Lord Kalthan, my chieftess will be glad that you like it.” And I won't have disappointed her. The woman thought.

The young envoy turned to Xanderlos, reaching into her bag once more and pulling out a tiny humming bird carved in a pink stone. “This is for the Summer Fae. If I have to leave before she gets here please give this to her.”

Just then the throne room door burst open and a black haired elf male burst into the room, he was panting and it looked like he had been running for awhile. The tired elf stammered out something about catching someone and then Xanderlos said a word that Aukanai'i did not recongize “Ash born.” She didn't know what that meant, but it seemed like personal buisness, one the she shouldn't be there for. “I will take my leave then, I will be here another day if I am needed. Lord Xanderlos, Lord Kalthan, and Lady Zalana, I fare thee well.” She bowed to each of them, placing the humming bird on top of the nearest table. She quickly walked out of the room and into the fresh air.

“Well, that is over with.” The woman said and stretched out. She decided to explore the city, and the best way to start that was to go to the beginning of the city. The human woman wandered back to the start and saw a very odd sight.

There were...other humans here. She tilted her head in confusion but decided to head towards them, and maybe get a reason why they were there.

“Greetings. I didn't think I would see any other humans here, may I ask what brought you to the elf city?” The scanitly clad warrior asked, a faint smile on her face. She felt a lot more comfortable with humans then elves.

Kalan was brought to the throne room with a grunt as he was forced on his knees. He had to squint in the bright light of the throne room as he cast his eyes down to at least ease the ache. "Raise your head and look at our king!" the guard commanded as his hair was grabbed and his head yanked up makiing him stifle a yelp of pain. His face however did not show that. In front of him were two figures he knew well. King Xanderlos and Queen Zalana. He only caught a glimpse of another one as they left the room. He did not speak to them as Xanderlos walked up to him fluidly, but that grace did nothing to hide how dangerous this king was. "Where is the Elven woman?" he asked. Just then the doors once more opened as the woman in question stepped in.

Kalthan walked out and saw the envoy talking to more humans, "Sorry about that... important business to do with the Dark Elves..." he told her as he patted her on the shoulder with a grin. He looked at the others and sniffed the air, "these are not humans... but they don't seem dangerous..." he thought to himself with a frown.